Pipeline anchoring system

ABSTRACT

This invention describes a method and apparatus for anchoring a mechanical pipeline system by attaching it to a plurality of anchor posts which have been positioned in the earth. The anchor posts are provided with means for attaching two tension members to their top end. The pipeline may be anchored in a ditch dug into the earth, or in the earth under an overlying layer of water. A plurality of anchor posts arranged in spaced relation along a line are positioned in the earth. The pipeline is placed on the line over the tops of the anchor posts. A clamp means, adapted to be bent around the pipe, is placed over and around the pipe. The two tension members which are attached to the posts are then locked to the clamp. Thereafter the pipe is locked to the anchor posts by means of the clamps and the tension members.

United States Patent [191 Webb Mar. 19, 1974 PIPELINE ANCHORING SYSTEM 1 1 Primary Examiner-Jacob Shapiro [76] Inventor: Brian Q. Webb, 732 South 95 East Anomeyy Agent, & Johnson Avenue, Tulsa, Okla.

[22] Filed: May 18, 1972 57 B T T PP .1 254,461 This invention describes a method and apparatus for anchoring a mechanical pipeline system by attaching it 52 11.5. C1 61/72.1, 61/53.68, 52/155, a plurality ef eheher Pests Whieh have been P 52/161 248/49, 138/105 tioned in the earth. The anchor posts are provlded 51 Im. c1. F16l 1/00, E02d 5/74 with means fer ehaehihg leheieh members their 58 Field of Search 6l/72.l, 72.3, 53.68, 50; F The PiPehhe may he ehehered in a h dug 52/155, 161; 248/49; 138/105, 106 mm the earth, or in the earth under an overlying layer of water. A plurality of anchor posts arranged in [56] References Cited spacted lrelationl along 1a 1218 a1"; positioned hin the cart T e pipe ine is p ace on t e ine over t e tops UNITED STATES PATENTS of the anchor posts. A clamp means, adapted to be 2,851,135 9/1958 WoodrnfflSr. 52/155 bent around the pipe i placed over and around the 2 2':S": et pipe. The two tension members which are attached to 3494'849 2/1970 1 X the posts are then locked to the clamp. Thereafter the pipe is locked to the anchor posts by means of the clamps and the tension memberg Netherlands 61/723 13 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures France PAIENTEIJIAR 1s m SHEU 1 BF 5 FIG. 2.4

PAIENIEUMR 19 m4 SHEET 2 0F 5 PATENTEUNAR 19 m4 SHEET t IJF 5 SHEET 5 BF 5 Fig. 7

Fig. 8

PIPELINE ANCHORING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention lies in the field of large diameter pipelines which are buried in the earth or are laid on top of the earth under an overlying layer of water. The invention is directed to a method and means for anchoring the pipeline in a fixed position, where it would otherwise be subjected to forces which might alter its position either vertically or horizontally.

There are many instances in the prior art where pipelines have been laid in areas with overlying water, where there are swift currents or tides, which carry sediments and floating objects which can exert considerable forces upon a pipeline, particularly in a horizontal direction. The local movement of a pipe in this way can cause great internal stresses in the metal of which the pipe is constructed. These stresses may cause premature failure of the pipe due to the bending or vibration under the forces acting on it by the currents and objects in the water. Also where there are swift currents, the soil under the pipe may be eroded or washed out. The pipe then would normally attempt to sink or settle into the troughs thus formed, again causing bending vibration and possible failure of the pipe.

In the prior art the common method for anchoring pipelines has been to place a bracket over the pipe and to drive anchor nails through the bracket into the subsoiLThis is a more difficult and critical operation than in the present invention sincein the present invention all of the anchor posts are driven into the earth before the pipe is placed in position. The pipe is then tied to the anchor posts by tension members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of this invention to provide a simple, convenient method of anchoring a pipeline to anchor posts previously positioned in the earth. This and other objects are satisfied and the limitations and weaknesses of prior art systems are overcome in this invention by driving the anchor posts into the earth before the pipe is laid, attaching tension members to the anchor posts, (which may be chains, cables, or rods) positioning the pipe on the line over the anchor posts and then providing clamps, over the pipe which are fastened to the anchor posts by means of the tension members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects of this invention and a better understanding of the principles anddetails of the invention will be evident from the following description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1, 1A, 2 and 2A show details of two different types of anchor posts which may be used with this invention. v

FIG. 3 illustrates the driving and positioning of an anchor post in accordance with this invention. 1

FIG. 4 illustrates a tool or fixture by means of which the clamp which is to tie the pipeline to the anchor post is positioned.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the steps in. applying the clamp to the pipeline.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1, 1A, 2 and 2A, there are shown two different types of anchor posts, both of which are slender cylindrical objects which can be pushed or driven into the earth. After they are in position, they can be anchored by flukes, arms or legs which are driven out from the central cylindrical body. The numeral 10 indicates generally the anchor post of FIG. 1. Numeral 10A indicates the same apparatus after the flukes have been positioned. The anchor post of FIG. 1 has a central column 18 with a plurality of angle arms 20 which are hinged near the base of the post and which can, by means of screw 19, operating through nut 21, at the top of the post, be expanded outwardly so as to provide a more positive grip on the earth. There is a ring 22 fastened at the top of the post to which are attached, by means of bales, two tension members such as chain 24, one on each side of the post.

In FIGS. 2 and 2A are shown another type of anchor post. The numeral 12 generally indicates the anchor post in position for driving into the earth. Numeral 12A illustrates the anchor post after the legs and arms have been spread. This anchor post consists of a cylindrical barrel 26 which has a plurality of legs 28 which are formed by longitudinal cuts in the: cylindrical sheath of the anchor posts. There is an internal screw mechanism similar to that in FIG. 1, so that by'turning the nut 21 at the top of the post a fixture 30 can be lifted, which causes the legs 28 to be spread. If the fixture 30 is driven further upward,,it causes a bulging 32in the upper portion of the cylindrical body (which has previously been cut) so as to provide a much firmer grasp to the earth below the surface. I

FIGS. 1, 1A, 2 and 2A illustrate generally the types of anchor posts which can be usecl with a clamping systern of this invention. Other types of anchor posts can, of course, also be used.

FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of setting ananchor post into the earth. In this case the post is being set into the bottom 36A of the ditch with sidewalls 36B. Conventional pile driving devices can be used to position the anchor posts. However, in this invention, by the use of anchor posts such as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1A, 2, 2A, it is possible to rotate the post so as to drill a hole, and press the post farther into the hole as the drilling proceeds. The edges of part 30 act as a drag bit to cut or drill the hole. After the post is in position the flukes are expanded. The positioning apparatus comprises generally a boom 38 with a hydraulic cylinder 40, piston rod 42, and rotating means, not shown. Alternatively a lever 44 can be used to position the post, and to lift a weight means 46 which can bedropped onto and pound, the anchor post 12 into the earth.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the preferred apparatus for applying the clamp means of this invention to the anchor posts, and the preferred method of application of the clamp to the pipeline. Referring to FIG..4, the apparatus comprises a placement tool or fixture, indicated generally by the numeral 16, which can be attached to the boom 38 of FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, by means of bolts through the openings 88 attached to the top of the main frame 50. Also attached to the main frame 50 are two substantially semicylindrical jaws 50 and 52. These are hinged to the frame by means of shaft 56 and 54. FIG. 5 illustrates these two jaws in spread-apart position while FIG. 6 illustrates the jaws in pulled-in position, where they snugly fit around the perimeter of the pipe 86. There are two shafts 58A and 588 which are attached to inwardly-pointing arms on jaws 52 and 50. These can be drawn together to close the jaws or spread apart in order to open the jaws, the spreading or closing is effected by two links 60 and 62, which are attached to a vertically moving rod 64, which is actuated by lever 68. The lever 68 is attached to the piston rod 42 of the cylinder 40 by means of pin 69 which passes through the piston rod and the lever 68. By operating the piston rod 42 in and out of the cylinder, the jaws 52 and 50 of the clamp fastening fixture 16 can be opened and closed as desired.

There are two drums 82A and 828 which are mounted on the main frame 50 and are rotatable about their axes, so that the flexible tension members 24A and 24B can be wound up on these drums. The drums may be rotated by hand or by motor means, through chains and sprockets, etc., by means well known in the art. The exact means of driving these drums form no part of this invention.

As shown in FIG. 4A (as well as FIG. 4), the clamp means comprises, in its simplest form, a sheet of metal which is formed into a partial cylindrical form, the two ends 74, 72 are bent into a U-shape, and the jaws 52 and 50 are adapted to fit into these U-shaped terminations.

There are two slots 76 in the middle of the jaws to provide means for the tension members to pass up to the drums 82A and 828. There are also slots 78 in corresponding positions in the ends of clamp means 70. The purpose of the slot 70 is to facilitate the clamping of the tension member which, for example, might be a chain. This is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 4A. Here a rod 80 is positioned in the U-shaped portion and can he slid through a link 24 in the chain so that when the drums 82A and 82B are released, the chain will be locked in the U-shaped portions of the clamp means of the rod 80. The excess chain beyond that point can then be cut off and the placement tool 16 is then removed, to be used again to position another clamp 70 to the pipe at an adjacent anchor post.

FIG. 5 illustrates how the clamp sheet 70 is applied to the pipe 86. The pipe 86 has previously been placed on the surface 36A of the earth over the anchor post 12. The two chains 24A and 24B are connected to the drums 82A and 82B. By means of hand cranks, or motor means they are wound up on to the drums. The clamp 70 has previously been positioned inside the jaws by slipping the jaws down over the clamp sheet 70. By its springiness, the clamp sheet is held in the curvature of the jaws 52 and 50. The boom 38 can then be lowered until the fixture 16 is positioned directly over the pipe as in FIG. 6. Then, as the piston 42 is operated, the jaws will clamp inwardly, tightening the clamp sheet tightly around the pipe. With the clamp tightly held to the pipe the chain links can be locked into the U- grooves on the ends of the clamp. Thereafter, releasing the chain, cutting off the excess chain, and opening the jaws 52 and 50 permits the fixture 16 to be spread apart and lifted off of the pipe leaving the clamp fastened tightly to the pipe and to the anchor post.

While the preferred method of assembly is to lower the pipe over the post and then apply the clamp, it is also possible to apply the clamp to the tool, place the clamp and tool around the pipe, and then lower the pipe into position over the post.

There has been shown a relatively simple method of fastening the tension member to the clamp. The attachment can be made in many other ways such as by means of hooks or links fastened to the clamp. The clamp is sufficiently wide so as to provide strong support for the pipe in overcoming lateral or vertical forces tending to move the pipe in relation to the anchor posts. While the tension members 24A, 24B should be flexible and is preferably a chain, other types of flexible tension members such as cables can, of course, be used with appropriate fastening means to the clamp sheet 70. Also, while the clamp is shown as a flexible sheet, it can, of course, be made of a plurality of hinged, curved rigid members.

In view of the rather specific design of the clamp and the method of connecting it to the anchor post the tool or fixture 16 which is used for holding and positioning the clamp sheet, also forms an important part of this invention.

It will be clear, that after the post has been positioned in the earth, and before the pipe has been positioned, it is possible to use the boom to apply an upward force to the post to test the quality of the anchoring. For example, as hereinbefore set forth the lever 44 may be connected with the weight means 46 in a manner whereby upward movement of the lever 44 raises the weight 46. As particularly shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the upper end of the weight means 46 is provided with an inverted U-shaped channel member 45 welded or otherwise secured thereto. A plate member 47 is carried by a box 49 of the lever assembly 44, and is secured thereto in any suitable manner whereby the plate 47 may be inserted through the channel member 45 as clearly shown in FIG. 7. The box 49 may be open at the bottom end with the plate member 47 cantilevered therein for insertion through the channel 45, if desired, or alternately, the box 49 maybe provided with aligned slots (not shown) whereby the plate 47 may be inserted through the slots and through the channel 45, if desired. A hydraulic cylinder 51 having a piston member 53 slidably disposed therein is secured to the upper surface of the plate 47 in any suitable manner, and a suitable conduit 55 extends from the cylinder 51 to any suitable source of fluid (not shown) for directing the fluid into the cylinder 51 beneath the piston 53. Of course, suitable sealing members 57 may be provided between the piston 53 and the inner periphery of the cylinder 51 for precluding leakage of fluid therebetween, as is well known. The cylinder 51 is charged or filled with hydraulic fluid beneath the piston 53, and any downward force on the piston 53 may be measured in any suitable or well known manner. The weight 46 may be secured to the post 12 in any suitable manner (not shown) subsequent to the anchoring of the post 12 in the ground as hereinbefore set forth. The lever 44 may then be raised by the boom for raising the box 49 with respect to the weight means 46. This brings the piston 53 into engagement with the channel 45, and the force or pressure exerted on the piston 53 may be measured, as is well known, thus providing for determining the efficiency of the anchoring operation. It is possible also to use conventional force measuring devices to determine the magnitude of the applied force.

While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components. It is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth herein by way of exemplifying the invention, but the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claim or claims, including the full range of equivalency to which each element or step thereof is entitled.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved anchoring system for a pipeline to be buried under earth or under water, comprising:

a. at least one anchor post positioned in the earth, the top of said post substantially at or below the level at which said pipeline is to be anchored, at least two tension members attached to the top of said post, said post substantially directly under said pipeline;

b. clamp means adapted to be placed over and to partially surround said pipe above said at least one post;

c. means to position said clamp means over said pipeline; and

d. means to attach said tension members to said clamp means, said attaching means comprising a pair of oppositely disposed drum members rotatably secured to the clamp means, each drum having a tension member wound thereon for reeling in and unreeling of the tension members.

2. The anchoring system as in claim 1 including means to position said at least one anchor post in the earth.

3. The anchoring system as in claim 2 in which said anchor post includes a plurality of expendable flukes and including means to expand said flukes in the earth.

4. The anchoring system as .in claim 2 including means to apply an upward force to the post after it is positioned, and including means to determine the magnitude of the force applied.

5. The pipeline system as in claim 1 in which said clamp comprises flexible sheet means.

6. The pipeline system as in claim 1 in which said clamp comprises a plurality of flexibly attached curved elements.

7. The pipeline system as in claim 1 in which said tension members are flexible.

8. The pipeline system as in claim 4 in which said flexible tension members are chains.

9. The pipeline system as in claim 2 in which said clamp means includes hooked ends, and including means to fasten said tension members to said hooked ends. I

i 10. In a pipeline system to be buried under earth or under water, the method of installing and anchoring said pipeline to the earth comprising the steps of:

a. positioning in the earth at least one anchor post;

b. fastening two tension members to the top of said at least one post;

0. positioning said pipeline over the top of said at least one post;

(1. positioning clamp means over said pipeline at the location of said post; and

e. connecting said tension members to said clamp, one on each side of said pipeline; whereby said pipeline is held under tension by said clamp and said tension members in close proximity to said post. i

11. The method as in claim 10 in which said tension members are flexible.

12. The method as in claim 10 in which step d is carried out before step c.

13. The method as in claim 10 including the additional steps after step a and before step b of:

l. applying ariupward force to said positioned anchor post; and r t 2. indicating the magnitude of the applied force, whereby the quality of the anchorage can be determined. 

1. An improved anchoring system for a pipeline to be buried under earth or under water, comprising: a. at least one anchor post positioned in the earth, the top of said post substantially at or below the level at which said pipeline is to be anchored, at least two tension members attached to the top of said post, said post substantially directly under said pipeline; b. clamp means adapted to be placed over and to partially surround said pipe above said at least one post; c. means to position said clamp means over said pipeline; and d. means to attach said tension members to said clamp means, said attaching means comprising a pair of oppositely disposed drum members rotatably secured to the clamp means, each drum having a tension member wound thereon for reeling in and unreeling of the tension members.
 2. The anchoring system as in claim 1 including means to position said at least one anchor post in the earth.
 2. indicating the magnitude of the applied force, whereby the quality of the anchorage can be determined.
 3. The anchoring system as in claim 2 in which said anchor post includes a plurality of expendable flukes and including means to expand said flukes in the earth.
 4. The anchoring system as in claim 2 including means to apply an upward force to the post after it is positioned, and including means to determine the magnitude of the force applied.
 5. The pipeline system as in claim 1 in which said clamp comprises flexible sheet means.
 6. The pipeline system as in claim 1 in which said clamp comprises a plurality of flexibly attached curved elements.
 7. The pipeline system as in claim 1 in which said tension members are flexible.
 8. The pipeline system as in claim 4 in which said flexible tension members are chains.
 9. The pipeline system as in claim 2 in which said clamp means includes hooked ends, and including means to fasten said tension members to said hooked ends.
 10. In a pipeline system to be buried under earth or under water, the method of installing and anchoring said pipeline to the earth comprising the steps of: a. positioning in the earth at least one anchor post; b. fastening two tension members to the top of said at least one post; c. positioning said pipeline over the top of said at least one post; d. positioning clamp means over said pipeline at the location of said post; and e. connecting said tension members to said clamp, one on each side of said pipeline; whereby said pipeline is held under tension by said clamp and said tension members in close proximity to said post.
 11. The method as in claim 10 in which said tension members are flexible.
 12. The method as in claim 10 in which step d is carried out before step c.
 13. The method as in claim 10 including the additional steps after step a and before step b of: 